It was dark out now, and I watched the lights as we drove past them. Nikolai was gone already, and I knew I would have to explain why I had gone to the hospital. It was true. I was naive. Naive enough to keep believing anything that cane from Matthew. My mother, at least, stayed away the way I had asked her to. It was a relief.
I finally got to the condo, used the rest of the money to pay, and then walked to the elevator. My mind was filled with the heated exchange from earlier, and the sound of the elevator was the only thing that cut off my train of thoughts.
I slowly went out, then walked to the condo. It was half open, and I could tell Nikolai was inside. I stayed out for a minute, my chest heaving. What would his reaction be? Would he hate me for doing the one thing he asked me not
